Solana is a blockchain platform that supports Level 1 smart contracts. It is designed to host decentralized and scalable applications. This blockchain was created by Solana Labs based in San Francisco, while the open source project is currently managed by the Geneva-based Solana Foundation. Anatoly Yakovenko published a proof of history (PoS) on the White Paper in 2017 and created the first Solana block on March 16, 2020.
SOL
is the native cryptocurrency of the Solana blockchain that allows users to point SOL coins to help process transactions faster and more efficiently. ·
Solana Use Cases
Solana is a fourth-generation blockchain with multiple uses:
- Solana has an open source application that anyone can download for personal and commercial use
- The blockchain block time is 400ms, which is faster than many other blockchains. This allows you to execute thousands of transactions in seconds and at extremely fast speeds.
- Solana’s developers use this blockchain to access their creative project ideas as Solana offers more stability and flexibility than any other blockchain.
- Some systems like Apricot Finance and Soland are built on the Solana blockchain that allows users to deposit or lend currency and earn interest or configure automatic repayment.
- Metaplex and Solanart are NFT applications built on the Solana blockchain that allows users to create and sell digital artworks. ·
- Players can earn cryptocurrencies and NFTs by playing games built on the Solana blockchain which has a Play to Earn (P2E) system.
- Some decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges such as Orca and Serum are also built on the Solana blockchain which allows users to trade cryptocurrencies in an unguarded process.
How is Solana different from the others?
- Solana can process transactions faster than BTC and ETH. With its short block times, it is as fast as Visa and MasterCard.
- Since Solana is a fourth-generation blockchain, it can handle high volumes of transactions, unlike many first- and second-generation blockchain networks.
- Solana is a layered blockchain that makes it interoperable with other applications for managing and trading digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, NFTs or personal records.
Solana competitors
- Algorand: It is also an open source decentralized blockchain network with a unique variant of the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism to increase the speed of transactions.
- Ripple: is a network and digital payment protocol based on blockchain. It is a faster mode of transaction and some banks use this method to carry out international settlements.
- Ethereum: Ethereum is in second place and Solana in ninth place in the list of the best cryptocurrencies. However, Solana is a competitor to Ethereum as it processes transactions faster than Ethereum. Ethereum works on the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism while Solana works on both Proof-of-History (PoH) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS).